General Notes

William came to Boston with Rev. John Davenport, landing there on June 26, 1637; moved to New Haven (Quinnipiac) March 30, 1638, and finally located at Milford in 1639. He was one of four settlers to whom the deed of Milford was given in 1639 by the Indians in exchange for valuables. At the second General Court in Milford, March 1640, "it was agreed between William Fowler and the Brethren that he should build a mill and have her going by the last of Sept." The town granted him land and the use of the stream (Wepawaug River).
This was the first mill in New Haven Colony, and has been owned by Fowlers ever since, "The oldest manufacturing business in the United States." In 1889 a memorial bridge and tower were erected near the mill and the first millstone is built into the wall as a seat. William was a very creditable ancestor being a magistrate and one of the pillars of the church. All of his children were born in England.
On the "Roll of Planters" at New Haven in 1642, as having an L 800 estate, a family of three (probably wife and dtr. Mary). Another note has year of death as 1660, with same day and month. A handwritten note says that he came to the Guilford Colony from Milford, but I am not sure about this.

From the New England Historical & Genealogical Register Vol. 11 page 248

William Fowler came over in the company of Rev. John Davenport, Gov. Eaton and others, and arrived at Boston 26 June 1637. His probable grandfather, William Fowler is mentioned as a prisoner in Bridewell with other Puritans in the year 1592. The list of prisoners is immediatly preceded by a petition addressed to the Lord Treasurer by many of the "poor Cristiains impresoned by the Bishops in sundry prisons in and about London." About this time a congregation of Puritans were discovered at Islington, which was then and now is a part of London in fact.

In this connection we introduce the following from " Weever's

Funeral Monuments," of " Monumental remains at Islington near London." -- "Here ---- John Fowler -- 1538," and "Alis Fowler, wife of Robert Fowler, Esquire, who d. ---- , 1540;" "Divers of the family lie here interred; the ancestors of Sir Thomas Fowler, Knight and Baronet, living 1630." Mr. Davenport was born in Warwickshire, and removed to London, where he was vicar of St. Stephen's Chirch, Mr. Eaton, another of the New Haven ompany, was a member of this chirch, and also from Warwickshire -- the ancestors of both being originally from the County of Chester. Mr. Fowler sailed with this company from Boston, and arrived at New Haven in April, 1638, and was at the famous meeting in Mr. Newman's barn, 4 June, 1639, when the peculial constitution and policy of Mr. Davenport, which afterwards characterized the New Haven Colony, was agreed upon. Mr. Fowler subscribed to that agreement. In the spring of 1639, the settlement of Milford had been arranged, and Mr. Fowler is the first named of the trustees, and the only one bearing the honorable prefix of "Mr." At the first meeting of the Milford Company he was chosen one of the "Judges." The church was organized 1639, and he was elected one of the "seven pillars," -- Mr. Peter Prudden, Pastor. Mr. Fowler was elected magistrate, and reappointed yearly to 1654. In 1640, by agreement with the town, he built a mill, the first erected in New Haven Colony, and which is now in possession of his descendants. It is probable that Mr. Fowler was one among those of the first settlers who had recived a classical education in his native country. His name is in the roll of planters at New Haven, 1642, as having an &800 estate, and a family of three persons. He d. 25 Jan 1660-1, and his will was presented by his son William to the General Court of the Colony 1661, but was not recorded, and being unfortunately lost, we are without guide as to his family.